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NSCI 221 Exams > Exam 2 > Flashcards

Exam 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the primary neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

A

Acetylcholine (ACh)

ACh plays a critical role in muscle activation and cognitive functions.

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2
Q

How many receptor subtypes does serotonin (5-HT) have?

A

At least 14 receptor subtypes

Primarily metabotropic, with 5-HT3 being a ligand-gated ion channel.

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3
Q

What effect do 5-HT1A receptors have on adenylyl cyclase?

A

Inhibit adenylyl cyclase, reducing cAMP synthesis

Also increase K+ channel opening, leading to hyperpolarization.

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4
Q

What is the function of 5-HT2A receptors?

A

Activate the phosphoinositide second-messenger system via Gq

This increases intracellular Ca2+ and activates protein kinase C (PKC).

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5
Q

What is the significance of autoreceptors in serotonin signaling?

A

Regulate serotonin release

Terminal autoreceptors inhibit release directly and somatodendritic autoreceptors affect neuron firing rates.

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6
Q

What terminates serotonin signaling?

A

Reuptake by transporters, primarily the serotonin transporter (SERT)

SERT utilizes the Na+ gradient.

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7
Q

What role does monoamine oxidase (MAO) play in serotonin metabolism?

A

Breaks down monoamines intraneuronally

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) does not act on serotonin.

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8
Q

What is the breakdown product of serotonin that can be measured to assess serotonergic activity?

A

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)

Can be measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

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9
Q

What does behavioral pharmacology examine?

A

The neurochemical basis of behavior and how drugs induce changes in that behavior

Essential for developing models of psychiatric disorders.

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10
Q

What are the ethical guidelines known as the 3Rs in animal research?

A

Replacement, Reduction, Refinement

Guide the use of animals in research.

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11
Q

What is face validity in behavioral pharmacology?

A

How well a test appears to measure what it is supposed to measure

Example: blood pressure correlating with stress.

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12
Q

What is the purpose of the elevated plus maze (EPM)?

A

Assessing anxiety-like behavior

Based on time spent in open versus closed areas.

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13
Q

What is the role of optogenetics in research?

A

Manipulate neuronal activity using light

Provides insights into causal relationships in behavior.

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14
Q

What does chemogenetics involve?

A

Use of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs)

Allows modulation of neuronal activity.

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15
Q

What is the main function of acetylcholine (ACh) in the cholinergic system?

A

Involved in memory, attention, and muscle control

Cholinergic neurons project to the prefrontal cortex (PFC).

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16
Q

What enzyme synthesizes acetylcholine?

A

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)

ACh is synthesized from acetyl-CoA and choline.

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17
Q

What is the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)?

A

Breaks down ACh in the synaptic cleft

Terminates its action and recycles choline for further synthesis.

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18
Q

What behavioral test is commonly used to assess depression-like behavior in rodents?

A

Forced swim test

Measures the time spent immobile as an indicator of despair.

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19
Q

What is autoradiography used for?

A

Visualize the distribution of radioactively labeled compounds in tissue sections

Provides insights into receptor localization.

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20
Q

What effect does donepezil have on acetylcholine levels?

A

Inhibits AChE, increasing ACh availability

Enhances cognitive function in certain populations.

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21
Q

What are the potential consequences of using CRISPR technology?

A

Unintended consequences and implications of editing human germline cells

Ethical considerations must be addressed.

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22
Q

What is serotonin toxicity?

A

A life-threatening condition caused by excess serotonin

Serotonin toxicity can result from certain medications, leading to symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and autonomic instability.

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23
Q

What is the role of Donepezil?

A

Inhibits AChE, increasing ACh availability and enhancing cognitive function

Donepezil is used primarily in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

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24
Q

What does Hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) do?

A

Blocks choline transporters, reducing ACh production

This can potentially impair cognitive function.

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25
What is the effect of Botulinum toxin?
Inhibits ACh release, leading to paralysis ## Footnote Botulinum toxin has applications in both medicine (e.g., treating muscle spasms) and cosmetic procedures (e.g., Botox).
26
What is the significance of recycled choline in ACh synthesis?
Essential for the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) ## Footnote Choline is converted into ACh by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT).
27
What is the primary function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)?
Degradation of ACh into acetate and choline ## Footnote This process is crucial for terminating synaptic transmission.
28
What are the two main types of cholinergic receptors?
Ionotropic (nAChRs) and metabotropic (mAChRs) ## Footnote These receptors play different roles in neurotransmission and signaling.
29
What happens during receptor desensitization?
Receptors become non-conducting despite agonist presence ## Footnote This occurs after prolonged exposure to agonists like nicotine.
30
What is the role of NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity?
Function as coincidence detectors for synaptic activity ## Footnote They require both presynaptic glutamate release and postsynaptic depolarization for activation.
31
Fill in the blank: The enzyme that converts glutamate back to glutamine is called _______.
glutamine synthetase
32
What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain?
Glutamate ## Footnote It plays a vital role in synaptic transmission and plasticity.
33
What are the two types of GABA receptors?
Ionotropic (GABA-A) and metabotropic (GABA-B) ## Footnote Each type has distinct signaling pathways and effects on behavior.
34
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?
A long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons ## Footnote It is crucial for learning and memory.
35
What is the function of AMPA receptors in LTP?
Enhance synaptic transmission by increasing glutamate sensitivity ## Footnote This is facilitated by phosphorylation through kinases activated by NMDA receptor signaling.
36
What is the mechanism of action for PCP and ketamine?
Act as noncompetitive antagonists at NMDA receptors ## Footnote This disrupts normal glutamate signaling and can lead to cognitive impairments.
37
What is the role of GABA in the brain?
Main inhibitory neurotransmitter, preventing excessive neuronal firing ## Footnote This helps maintain the balance between excitation and inhibition.
38
What can result from the underactivity of acetylcholine (ACh)?
Conditions like Alzheimer's disease and Myasthenia Gravis ## Footnote Medications like donepezil and pyridostigmine are used to manage symptoms.
39
True or False: mAChRs can be both excitatory and inhibitory.
True ## Footnote M1, M3, and M5 are excitatory, while M2 and M4 are inhibitory.
40
What are the three reuptake transporters for GABA?
* GAT-1 * GAT-2 * GAT-3 ## Footnote These transporters recycle GABA back into neurons and glial cells.
41
What is a consequence of dysfunction in vesicular GABA transporters (VGAT)?
Various neurological disorders ## Footnote Alterations in VGAT expression correlate with conditions such as epilepsy and anxiety disorders.
42
What is the role of GABA aminotransferase (GABA-T) in GABA metabolism?
Converts GABA to glutamate and succinate in GABAergic neurons and astrocytes ## Footnote GABA-T is crucial for regulating GABA levels in the brain.
43
What effect does Vigabatrin have on GABA levels?
Increases GABA levels by preventing its metabolism ## Footnote Vigabatrin is an irreversible inhibitor of GABA-T, leading to anticonvulsant effects but potential visual side effects.
44
What type of receptors are GABAA receptors?
Ionotropic receptors that allow Cl– ions to flow ## Footnote This flow leads to hyperpolarization and inhibition of the postsynaptic neuron.
45
How many subunits compose each GABAA receptor?
Five subunits ## Footnote The combinations of α, β, γ, and δ types determine pharmacological properties.
46
What is the function of GABAB receptors?
Metabotropic receptors that inhibit cAMP formation and open K+ channels ## Footnote This contributes to hyperpolarization of neurons.
47
What substances can modulate GABAA receptor activity?
* Benzodiazepines (BZDs) * Barbiturates * Alcohol ## Footnote These substances enhance inhibitory signaling through allosteric modulation.
48
What is muscimol and its effect on GABAA receptors?
A classic agonist inducing hallucinogenic effects ## Footnote Muscimol is derived from the Amanita muscaria mushroom.
49
What role does bicuculline play regarding GABAA receptors?
Acts as a competitive antagonist, blocking GABA binding ## Footnote This leads to convulsant effects when administered systemically.
50
What are the key structures in the reward circuit?
* Medial forebrain bundle * Ventral tegmental area (VTA) * Nucleus accumbens (NAcc) ## Footnote These structures are critical for processing rewards and reinforcement.
51
What does the expectation of monetary rewards activate in the brain?
Activates regions like the VTA and NAcc ## Footnote This indicates a link between reward processing across species.
52
What is dopamine (DA) often mischaracterized as?
The 'pleasure neurotransmitter' ## Footnote However, DA is more involved in the incentive salience of rewards.
53
What does the incentive sensitization hypothesis suggest?
Repeated drug exposure sensitizes the reward pathways, increasing craving ## Footnote This leads to compulsive drug-seeking behavior.
54
What are neuroadaptations in the context of addiction?
Changes in the brain's response to chronic drug exposure ## Footnote These adaptations can alter reward processing and contribute to addiction.
55
What does Koob & LeMoal's opponent-process model of motivation propose?
Addiction involves a shift in the balance between positive and negative emotional states ## Footnote This contributes to the cycle of addiction.
56
What does evidence show about DA release in substance use disorders?
DA release can habituate despite continued reinforcement ## Footnote This complicates the relationship between DA and pleasure.
57
What do neuroimaging studies reveal about reward activation?
They show specific brain regions activated by the expectation of rewards ## Footnote Key regions include the VTA and NAcc.
58
What is the flow of information in the reward circuit diagram?
[VTA] --> [NAcc] --> [Prefrontal Cortex] --> [Amygdala] ## Footnote This illustrates dopamine release and information processing within the circuit.
59
What is the allostasis hypothesis in addiction?
Addiction disrupts the normal homeostatic range of the reward circuit ## Footnote This leads to a failure to return to baseline function.
60
What is Reward Prediction Error (RPE)?
The difference between expected and received rewards ## Footnote Dopamine responses in the VTA signal this prediction error.

NSCI 221 Exams (1 decks)

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